Toledo Chamber Blog

​Inspired by a passion for history and a deep respect for the service and sacrifice of the U.S. Military, brothers John Nowakowski of Swanton and Jeff Nowakowski of Sylvania formed The Last Patrol Museum in 1991. Incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit in 1995, the group’s mission is to develop a military museum and national youth training facility in Toledo. For several years, the Last Patrol has had a very close working relationship with the Commodore Perry Division of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets and Navy League Cadets.

​“We formed The Last Patrol as a way to say ‘thank you’ to our military,” said John Nowakowski. “Then we got involved with the Sea Cadets and thought ‘What better way to help nurture a sense of leadership and respect than by combining those efforts.’”

The Last Patrol is currently working to bring home to Ohio the retired U.S.C.G. Motor Life Boat 44334 to serve as a historic youth training vessel. The 44334 is a fully restored, 44-foot steel MLB. She has spent her entire life on the freshwater Great Lakes, serving at Lorain, Cleveland and Marblehead for the Coast Guard. In Port Clinton, she served as R.T. Cook for the Ohio Naval Militia. She has worked in recent years as a private U.S.C.G. Auxiliary patrol vessel on the Saginaw River and Saginaw Bay near Bay City, Michigan.

The plan is to purchase the 44334 for $30,000, an exceptionally generous price established by the current owner. Other 44s have sold recently starting at $80,000 to well over $100,000. Donations so far are approaching $10,000.

“We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to acquire this extremely valuable piece of Coast Guard history at such a reasonable cost. The extensive service of 44334 in Ohio waters is a bonus. She's coming home to share her legacy and that of the legendary 44-foot MLBs with new generations of young mariners while providing a proven stable and extremely safe learning environment for seamanship/boat handling, navigation, marine engineering and other maritime-related topics,” Nowakowski said.

An additional $20,000 minimum is needed for other expenses: fuel to move 44334 under her own power to Toledo, documentation, training equipment for the Cadets and construction of a winter storage cradle. Long-term support is also being pursued for maintenance, operation, insurance and off-season storage. One donor has pledged $15,000 toward maintenance and docking, contingent on the boat’s purchase. Donations are tax deductible. Business and corporate sponsorships are available. The Last Patrol intends to nominate 44334 for the National Register of Historic Places, which will help enhance grant eligibility. Heritage Ohio officially supports the project.

Many active duty and retired U.S.C.G. and U.S. Navy Veterans live in the area. They will be welcomed as volunteer mentors aboard 44334, allowing them to relive memories of their service while sharing their skills and experiences with the Cadets. These mentoring opportunities will be of immeasurable value to the Cadets and Veterans alike. Several members of the Last Patrol Board are U.S. Navy and Coast Guard Veterans while John Nowakowski is a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran.

​“The resources in the Toledo area are abundant with a vibrant mix of commercial businesses, talented veterans and volunteers to support our efforts,” Nowakowski said. “The Last Patrol’s board and professional volunteers are dedicated to the success of the organization and committed to fulfilling the group’s mission.”

When not engaged in training, 44334 will be available to Toledo Flotilla 16-13 of the U.S.C.G Auxiliary for limited special operations. This will promote boating safety and assist the Auxiliary while providing opportunities for Cadets to expand their educational and hands-on experiences. This is a bonus, especially for Cadets who want to continue maritime-related activities but who cannot or will not be joining military service.

​“While the Cadets are drilled in a military fashion, there is no obligation to actually enlist in the military. They learn how these skills and experiences can help them in their day-to-day lives,” Nowakowski said. “They get a chance to learn and see things that will give them an advantage in deciding their future without having that big commitment. We had one Cadet who didn’t like the idea of serving in the military, but loved being a mechanic. She’s now with Michigan CAT.”

Long-term goals involve acquisition and restoration of the historic Bay View Naval Armory for use as the museum’s home base and training facility for Cadets and other youth groups. The proposed museum will focus on educating guests about the active military, military history, and veterans through story telling and the preservation of equipment, oral histories and artifacts. This may also include a larger historic ship for museum use and underway Cadet training.